Smarter Buildings in a Pressured Energy System

As energy demand grows faster than new production, grids, industry and property owners are all under pressure. At the same time, new opportunities are opening up for those who dare to think systemically. “When energy is used more intelligently, capacity is freed up for other parts of society,” says Per-Henrik Persson, CEO of Buddy Energy.

For decades, electricity in Sweden has been cheap and stable. But as industry, transport and buildings are now electrified simultaneously, demand is increasing significantly faster than production. One of the companies working to address this development is Buddy Energy, which helps property owners understand, manage and optimise their energy use.

“We need to start seeing energy as a flow. It is not just about producing more, but about optimising usage. When energy is used more intelligently, capacity is freed up for other parts of society,” says Per-Henrik Persson.

When production is no longer enough

Persson describes an energy system out of balance, where production, control and consumption are no longer aligned. Rapid electrification is creating new demand peaks that today’s grids were not designed to handle.

“We have had an energy system that worked very well for a long time, but it is not dimensioned for the pace of change we are seeing now. The state cannot build fast enough, and ultimately the cost lands with the users,” he says.

At the same time, there is growing awareness that the solution does not lie solely in building new production, but in using the existing system more efficiently.

“Every kilowatt hour that is saved or shifted to the right time of day creates room elsewhere in the system. That is where buildings come in.”

Buildings take their place in the energy system

Buddy Energy was founded on this very insight. The company was started by property owners who wanted to take control of their energy data and understand how their buildings actually impact the energy system.

“We saw that energy was both a risk and an opportunity. By working systematically with measurement and control, you can reduce costs while strengthening sustainability.”

By storing, producing and controlling energy, buildings can help smooth loads and create balance in the grid.

“Many property owners do not know exactly where their energy goes. But once you start measuring, you quickly see where there are leaks and potential. Only then can you begin to manage and optimise,” says Persson.

Creating real impact

In Gothenburg, this work has taken concrete form. There, several property owners allowed their buildings to share energy behind the same meter, a project that Buddy Energy helped enable. The results were clear: peak demand was reduced by 40 percent, while the electricity grid was relieved.

“It shows how much can be achieved without building new production. Energy optimisation is one of the most powerful climate measures we can take, it delivers impact immediately,” says Persson.

He describes buildings as a kind of societal battery, where each property can contribute to stability by storing and managing energy.

“When buildings are connected, they can share resources, reduce peak loads and support the grid when needed. It is about thinking in systems, not just buildings.”

New requirements reshaping the playing field

The development is also driven by new political frameworks. The EU Energy Efficiency Directive requires member states to address the worst performing buildings. Between 2027 and 2030, the 16 percent least efficient properties in each country must be upgraded, followed by a further ten percent.

“This affects everything, valuations, financing and letting potential. Banks are no longer allowed to lend to certain properties. They must ensure that their collateral base is not too brown,” says Persson.

He emphasises that this is not about pointing fingers, but about creating incentives to do the right thing.

“Most people want to act, but do not know where to start. When you show that sustainability and profitability go hand in hand, things start to happen.”

Collaboration as the key to transition

To manage the rapid transition, both technical expertise and collaboration between stakeholders are required.

“It is in the meetings between energy companies, property owners and investors that real change happens. When we share experiences and demonstrate concrete results, it becomes clear that this is not a future project, it is already happening,” says Persson.

He highlights forums such as Clima Energy Nordic as important arenas for exactly this type of collaboration. There, stakeholders can meet, exchange experiences and jointly find solutions that work in practice.

“We will not be able to stop temperature increases entirely, but the difference between two and four degrees is enormous. Everyone must contribute, and we must start now,” says Per-Henrik Persson, concluding:

“We are facing a new reality where energy is no longer something you simply buy, but something you actively need to understand and manage. The property owners who take that step now will be the winners, both for the climate and for their own future.”

Per-Henrik’s three best tips for property companies

1. See energy as a flow, not a cost item
   • When energy is viewed as a flow, you can manage, store and share it more intelligently. This frees up capacity for other parts of society and makes your property an active part of the energy system.
2. Start measuring and understanding your usage
   • Many property owners do not know where their energy actually goes. Only when you measure in detail do you see where the leaks are and where optimisation is possible. Data is the foundation for management, investment and business value.
3. Collaborate and think systemically
   • The energy transition of the future will not happen in silos. Work together with energy companies, investors and technology suppliers to create holistic solutions. When buildings are connected, they can share energy, reduce peak loads and relieve the grid.

Clima Energy Nordic is the Nordic region’s new meeting place for sustainable and energy efficient buildings and facilities. With a focus on efficient energy use in heating, ventilation and cooling for indoor climate, property owners, investors, installers, suppliers, consultants, researchers and decision makers come together to drive the development towards sustainable buildings, facilities and profitable investments.

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